A 5233 — Allows rounding for cash transactions.

A5233 1R [First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No.

Assemblyman  ROY FREIMAN District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)         SYNOPSIS      Allows rounding for cash transactions.    CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As introduced.reported by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee on September 17, 2026, with amendments.

       1.    a.  If a business1[business] merchant1 accepts cash transactions and chooses to round up or down when calculating amounts due at the point of sale, the following provisions apply:

     b.    The1The provisionsrounding of any transaction, pursuant to subsection a.

of this section, shall only be applied to the final transaction total after all taxes, fees, discounts, and any other adjustments have been accounted for.

     c.1   The provisions of subsection a.

     c.    1[c] d1.      Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit a program that rounds a purchase or transaction up as a donation;

       2.    Any business1[business] merchant1 that violates1[violates the provisions of this billbill] shallrounds beup subjectthe toprice a civil penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,500 for the second offense, and $5,000 for the third and each subsequent offense.  Each day on which a violationcash occurstransaction shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.  A penalty imposed pursuant to this section shall be collected in aviolation civil action by a summary proceeding under the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,”paragraph P.L.1999,(1) c.274or (C.2A:58-10(3) et seq.).  The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedingssubsection fora. the enforcement of the penalty provided by this section.

 of     section 3.   1 Thisof actthis act1 shall takebe effectsubject 30to daysa aftercivil enactment. penalty  of  $1,000 STATEMENTfor  the     first Thisoffense, bill$2,500 establishesfor the roundingsecond requirements,offense, forand businesses$5,000 that choose to follow them, for cashthe transactionsthird inand responseeach tosubsequent theoffense.  endEach ofday theon productionwhich ofa penniesviolation byoccurs theshall federalconstitute governmenta inseparate Novemberand ofdistinct 2025. offense.  WhileA penniespenalty willimposed stillpursuant circulate,to thethis billsection intendsshall tobe assistcollected businesses in preparation for a phaseoutcivil inaction theby usea ofsummary theproceeding pennyunder for cash transactions.  As noted by the National“Penalty ConferenceEnforcement Law of State1999,” Legislatures,P.L.1999, guidancec.274 issued(C.2A:58-10 byet statesseq.).  onThe thisSuperior issueCourt willshall providehave criticaljurisdiction clarityof andproceedings fairness for businesses and subsequently, consumers.  Penalties are also established in the billenforcement forof businesses who adopt the roundingpenalty requirementsprovided butby violatethis theirsection. provisions.

       Nothing3.    inThis theact billshall willtake beeffect construed30 todays prohibitafter aenactment.  program that rounds a purchase or transaction up as a donation;

provided that the program is voluntary, and the consumer has the right to opt in to and opt out of the donation.